Sullivan lined up favourite Jovial Rock in his hometown feature before it turned into a nightmare after a false start.

His filly had secured the big advantage after drawing gate one only for a barrier malfunction saw her come crashing to the ground.

The daughter of Rock N Roll Heaven made contact with the barrier arm as it slowed at the winning post and had to be scratched from the feature.

Sullivan was devastated by the incident.

“That’s not bad luck it is incompetence as far as I’m concerned,” Sullivan said.

“I understand if they’ve called a false start but they’ve called a false start 200 metres after they’ve given the green light to go.”

Driver Nathan Jack described the incident as the “worst thing I’ve ever seen.”

The filly suffered abrasions to both front knee as well as her face but more will be known about her condition in the coming days.

Amanda Turnbull was sent flying over the rail guard when Taukau Beach run up the inside of Sullivan’s filly when the start was aborted.

Both horse and driver were deemed fit to run in the second take of the group three feature.

They ended up fifth.

Starter Jamie Hogan declined to comment.